Classical Composer Reacts to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Iron Maiden) | The Daily Doug (Ep. 100)

[@conz1012]

Iron maiden fans will always find each other in any part of the Internet

[@davidmiller9485]

after what happened to ion maiden i walked away from Iron Maiden. Fucking stupid.

[@lovrestosic1451]

In any part of the universe

[@darijogalic4839]

yea

[@marcusanton95]

Found ya...lol I was a freshman in high school when this came out. When Metal was metal and not the sissy shit that followed. Glam rock, yuck.

[@EllissDee4you4me]

I love wearing a Maiden shirt to shows because other fans without fail come out of the woods with appreciation. For some reason, Maiden fans are a special breed and always like others showing their colors.

[@JohannesRichter87]

That's because Iron Maiden is more than a musical band. They are storytellers. They create ambience and atmosphere to tell you stories. That's why they're awesome.

[@maximartinez5177]

Thats what i am talking about. Up the irons❤

[@blackjack0132]

Sure you're right up the irons❤️✌️

[@davidotta2074]

Up the irons !!

[@rantzntirades1104]

Too bad music td doesn’t have that in common

[@BrossGameage]

Rime of the ancient mariner

[@TheCyberMantis]

It's fun to watch a guy with a long background in music theory, dissecting a song he has never heard before, that I have heard 1,000 times.

[@unnamedwriter]

FKN it up playing the Piano and he never heard this song before!!!

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@unnamedwriter He has a trained ear for pitch. So he can find the root easily. And he knows chords and music theory. Doug is legit, he just has no background in metal. He's catching-up with it now.

[@joelmacdonald6994]

@@TheCyberMantis the funny thing is, he may not have a background in metal, but the two share a common background. Metal takes more from classical music than any other genre.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@joelmacdonald6994 Really good metal takes influences from many different genres. Classical is certainly one of them. Yngwie made a good career off it, with his sweeping arpeggios.

[@cowboyjamerson3746]

@@unnamedwritershut up

[@Stargazer1974]

THIS song is the best heavy metal song in history. Some say its The Number of the Beast, others say its Master of puppets, others say Heaven and Hell. But this song is the definition of Heavy Metal. Without any doubt SSOASS is one of the top 3 Heavy Metal albums of all time, but THIS song is Heavy Metal in all its glory!

[@timothya.olmeda7299]

The album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was under appreciated at the time of release. Mostly because the majority of their fans couldn’t handle the fact that it was laden with synthesizers all throughout. Of course, it later grew on the faithful listener, and is undoubtedly one of their best from beginning to end. Very melodic album, which sticks in your head every time you listen to it. Definitely a favorite of mine.

[@kenshinoriginal1]

Yeah it was so underraated that it was their highest selling album at the time.

[@timothya.olmeda7299]

@@kenshinoriginal1 At the time? The previous two (Powerslave and Somewhere in Time) albums were two years apart. Seventh Son was only number 1 in the U.K. In the US it went to number 12. Powerslave peaked in the U.K. at number 2, while in the US it peaked at number 21. Clearly it wasn’t received as well as Piece of Mind (UK 3 and US 14) and Number of the Beast (UK 1 and US 33, only because of a delay overseas). I remember it fondly. It was the tail end of the 80’s. There was a slew of other bands that were also successful by this time and many others appearing daily. Styles were changing and evolving, with a whole new scene on the horizon.

[@patguitare]

It really was Timothy A. Olmeda...Maiden took their sound and concept to a higher level. Yes, they incorporated guitar synths, but unlike Judas Priest's "Turbo" they made the synths sound more like guitar sounds than keyboard-type synth sounds. It wasn't "The Trooper" or "Run to the Hills, but it was a higher level of songwriting. This Maiden fan since 1981 truly appreciated this album so much!

[@charlessantos6861]

@@kenshinoriginal1 The arrival of the CD made everyone buy their latest album, maybe. Then it was seen that the sound was very good, a continuation of the previous album. There's my favorite of the band: The evil that man do... I remember that I stopped listening to the band on this album, swallowed up by the force of Thrash, death, Nuclear Assault and Dark Angel crossover and so many others.

[@kenshinoriginal1]

@@charlessantos6861 In my opinion the worst Iron Maiden era was when Blaze Came in.

[@fredericjaquet3729]

I love how musicians with a classical background react to metal and especially Iron Maiden : with full respect and very often with enjoyment. Metal music has been looked down at for so long, it's really refreshing to see this.Up the Irons ! 🤟🏻

[@fredericjaquet3729]

@@GladeSwope I totally agree with this !

[@luislopeztejeda5558]

actually heavy metal musicians are the best in terms of execution, and they have very good background in music.

[@Xfade81]

loads of metal bands are thought classically

[@metalmike570]

Progressive as hell!

[@jaybenton7716]

The song ' Can I Play With Madness ' from this album is the reason my kids exist. I was into indie music before hearing that on the radio and it got me hooked straight away. I looked into Maiden more, then went deeper, Anthrax, Metallica etc. I met my missus because of the metal link and we've been together since 1988.

[@chaosapiant]

Can I have you? Like, to keep?

[@garymitchell5899]

@@chaosapiant You do realise it's a weird bloke?

[@ryananthony4840]

Haha!!! Hell yes!!😂😂😈

[@fridaynightmunch8816]

My daughters thought it was Can I Play With Magnets !!

[@ryananthony4840]

@@fridaynightmunch8816 lmao 😂😂😂

[@kratos0510]

DOUG! You METAL HEAD you!!! I can feel it... It's coming... You're gonna end up writing an EPIC Metal/Classical MASTERPIECE, and all of us "DAILY DOUGERS" will be there for the WORLD PREMIERE!!!

[@relinquished6974]

Why does no one recommend Powerslave? It's one of their best songs imo

[@guslakis]

Their live video from Flight 666 of that one is fantastic

[@patrickmaddox2674]

I agree

[@markuslautkoski3464]

That song is one of my favorites, but not really because of the song itself, it is the guitar solo(s) that is the most amazing thing about that song imho :)

[@jeffshafer9079]

I have. I think it leads into a good discussion on modes and it also features the bass guitar prominently in the solo section, which is something you don’t hear regularly at all. Yes, 4 strings can also be melodic!

[@stringemup5941]

“Powerslave” is my second fave tune off that record!! Def top 10 Fave Maiden tune... UP THE IRONS!!!

[@josephernandez3465]

For me, this song has the best atmosphere ever. That's why I must consider this one my favourite song of them

[@EliteSquter]

"Can you hear it?" - trust me, probably like 75% of us here are just happy to watch professional enjoying songs we like, 20% probably know enough music theory to generally understand what you are talking about and maybe 5% at best can actually hear this stuff

[@rftopaccess]

Its true. Good point

[@Rippone]

I'm with the 75%. Very true :)

[@lxathu]

Well, probably most of us hear it, the strangeness, its out-of-this-world feeling but, as you write, just a few of us know why it is strange in that cool way.

[@agony664]

Yeap

[@djek1976]

Just feel it.

[@bhickling9632]

I would sit and watch you react to Iron Maiden's entire studio catalogue...in one sitting. Keep 'em coming!

[@jamesglover1139]

Still saying the song is “To Tame a Land”. Sticking by that. Far more exotic scales.

[@toddegoldberg]

I are dunecat. I am approves this messaged.

[@tsbiscaro]

just the intro would be a great lecture from Doug

[@lucasponte1149]

definitely this one

[@hightensionlabs]

To tame a land deffo needs the Doug treatment 👍

[@SKarthikeyan75]

@Hayden Arlington Add Dicken's kickass vocs on the "Time will come..."section over steve's ostinato bass

[@blueorb]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. I'm not a musician so the music theory is over my head but I enjoy watching and hearing your explanations. Great seeing you review a wide range of music. Maiden is so good, the more the better.

[@C64SX]

Saw them live on the Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour, '88, in Copenhagen. Opening act was Helloween, they had just released Keeper of the Seven Keys part II. What a night that was.

[@thiagoribnog]

Wow... I can imagine.

[@DsantosGE4PA]

WOW!!!! I cant even imagine it!

[@abiseniyya]

Wow, you are lucky to witness one of greatest moments in history, Sir.

[@Macloud2]

Actually jealous … I got into Maiden in '89, listened to a tape copy of 7th son approx a thousand times in a row. And I always regret that I was too young and too late to see that tour or Monsters 88 live. The 90/91 tour with Janick Gers and Anthrax as opener was great but I missed that 7th son „magic“.

[@kennethmckinley8414]

Saw them at Donnington in 1988. Supported by Helloween, Guns 'n' Roses, Megadeth, Dave lee Roth and Kiss. Unfortunately a screen collapsed during Guns and two dudes were killed.

[@stuartsutton2548]

Maiden are unique in the metal world. There have been many bands metal bands that sound alike but nobody sounds like maiden. The greatest metal band ever

[@Kalefromai]

I can agree with that last statement.

[@pierreoconnor5635]

10:46 "There's gotta be something next" Boy are you not ready... Your life will change forever...

[@Stratodave]

I was looking for this comment xD

[@alextozzi8619]

Doug jumped on his chair 3 times with an OOOOHHHH in the following minutes 😄😄 😄. I love the man

[@kobodiroga1126]

Mine. It wasnt the same again.. back in mid 90s.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

''Infinite dreams'' is such a masterpiece!!! Amazing chord change and chord progression is absolutely brilliant !!

[@Ausamte]

I highly recommend "Infinite Dreams" and "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" two underrated songs from my favorite albums

[@heliorampor9889]

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is a good suggestion!!

[@aristos11]

Bruce's scream and that superb guitar solo following through in Infinite Dreams, has been THE PEAK of Iron Maiden songwriting career. After that point it's been a descending road with some pretty awesome plateaus, but yeah, they never exceeded that level.

[@GregWilson635]

Seventh son is a concept album. The whole album is telling a story. Each song is like a chapter out of that story.

[@garymitchell5899]

Not really. That was the intention, but I've never seen it. And the band acknowledge that now.

[@kforcer]

@@garymitchell5899 Well, the idea was for all the songs to basically relate to the idea of a child born with psychic abilities, to a family of three good brothers and three evil brothers, who both try to recruit the seventh brother to their side. And so that informed the overall songwriting process but it wasn't, as I understand, a strict mandate that they had to follow. Some of the songs have more of a connection than others, I think. But they do all seem to generally tell that same story, from 'Moonchild' to 'Only the Good Die Young.'

[@dannylerch]

The funny thing is every single King Diamond record has a theme and a concept. So they entire discography is a concept discography.

[@channel5980]

@@garymitchell5899 What? SSOASS is the definition of a concept album.

[@garymitchell5899]

@@channel5980 It really isn't. Two or three of the songs have a slight link, but that's all. There isn't a coherent narrative as with say Crimson Idol, which definitely is a concept album and excellent. Even Bruce has acknowledged that SSOASS doesn't work as a concept, because it doesn't.

[@BergerFett]

MMOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN CHHHHIILLLLLDDDDDD this whole album is a straight banger and maybe their best from top to bottom

[@GovIertje]

The way Bruce uses his voice on the whole album.... I love it. Still waiting for 7th Son - The Musical. That would be so awesome with Bruce as storyteller... 😁

[@cptn_chromo3189]

This album is by far my favorite from Iron Maiden.

[@EgoChip]

This is also my favourite Maiden album, not a single bad track or a filler on this one. As great as Maiden are, most of their other albums have filler tracks. But this one is solid throughout and their standout best.

[@bitspacemusic]

@@cptn_chromo3189 It's hard to pick one definitive fave, but the Somewhere In Time & Seventh Son combo is in top 3. I had them back to back on cassette and would listen all night long while drawing Eddies.

[@Po3oB]

This album is the best!!! Definitely the peak of IM composership!

[@imashu1000]

Daughter of a pianist with masters in music. So heartwarming to hear the music theory my dad taught me. When you spoke about resolutions I kept thinking about the time my dad taught me about “diabulus in musica “

[@busterbell871n]

You need to do a poll whether people would like to see Maiden once a week and see what happens..... As soon as I saw a new Maiden analysis I dropped everything to come and see it.

[@redpillmafia960]

I am telling you... "The Clairvoyant" will be your favorite Iron Maiden song... I promise!! Please do this song!! If I'm lying I'm dying with my boots on!

[@davidtrevino5211]

Lmfao

[@NightZ2_]

11:39 That slow smile that comes when you realize you just heard something amazing.

[@nickfoster9350]

My fav Maiden tune! Loved it from the moment I first heard it when I was a kid. Their first foray into prog metal. A true classic.

[@nornog]

This is their best record, you can never go wrong with Maiden. Up the Irons!

[@swordmonkey6635]

The Powerslave/Somewhere in Time/Seventh Son is the holy trinity for Maiden in my mind. So much creative juice going during the mid 80s. I saw them twice during that era. Great live.

[@oldoak2804]

Yeah, I love this album. Especially, Infinite Dreams, my favorite Maiden song! An underrated classic!

[@markfit7870]

@@swordmonkey6635 agreed, my favourite 3 Maiden albums as well. The drop in the quality of the music on the following albums, after Adrian Smith left, was massive.

[@kraftwerk974]

All their 80's LPs are probably their best album mate 😉😆

[@swordmonkey6635]

@UCF6rBjv6efpRutCIo9uImSQ Iron Maiden was a prog metal band before that was a thing and their concept albums only solidified their numerous songs about history. They were experimenting on all three of those albums... more so on SWIT and 7th Son, but the prog metal aspect of their music kept them from burning out and becoming stale.

[@APWPaint]

Cool watching some one become a Maiden fan without realizing it.

[@Tr1ton131]

Envious that he’s experiencing it for the first time, I’d give anything to do it again

[@darijadrazovic]

YEA!

[@dinounit67]

I’ll keep recommending Iron Maiden’s ”Starblind”, ”The Talisman” and ”The Legacy”. More proggy, great storytelling, great music! These songs are more atypical as some other recommended Maiden songs and That’s why I think you’d like them! *yes it’s the same songs as before, I won’t give up!

[@josifaesatru3618]

I think he'd love Paschendale, too.

[@jesusguerra1093]

finally someone with taste, those songs are a great selection. I would add the "book of souls" aswell and the great story telling of "dance of death"

[@adamschulte4119]

Legacy would be great

[@josifaesatru3618]

The later Maiden gets unfairly dismissed by a lot of "fans".

[@danielmartinez8107]

talisman es una puta chimba

[@reverandbigshow8171]

"The Evil that Men do" has always been my favourite song from this album. You should definitely try it sometime!

[@ep1cmau756]

I like how he jumps back when something cool happens

[@haybinkunduz]

The more you become a Maiden fan the more we hear E Minor

[@vitman4414]

I really like watching you analyze the music with your extensive knowlege of music.

[@woodchuk1]

One of the reasons I subscribed. I’m a theory nut. ❤️

[@numa28612]

It makes me so happy to see a musician with legitimate music theory knowledge absolutely light up when they see past the sometimes cheesy veneer of heavy metal and can see that metal is a form of music that can be compositionally sound and not without merit. Maiden's catalog is a rich supply of endless, sometimes apparently simple motifs that are explored and juggled about which always converge in ways that are simply beautiful. Thank you, and congrats on your 100th episode!

[@thomaswithers937]

Dude, incredible! I've been a Maiden fan since the turn of the century, and I could just listen to you playing piano chords alongside metal songs for hours. Iron Maiden translates so beautifully to piano!

[@harryplum6097]

"the evil that men do" and "sea of madness" are probably my favourite Iron Maiden songs

[@Chris_Clark1MaidenFan]

No one does live shows better and Maiden’s live videos rock, but to truly get Bruce’s voice range studio recordings are best. Iron Maiden is the G.O.A.T. There never was and never will be another this great.

[@vincekroy]

There's really 3 vocals that sound better live (my opinion). Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio & Miles Kennedy.

[@Chris_Clark1MaidenFan]

@@vincekroy I’ve never seen the Scorpions in concert but the live videos I have seen Klaus Meine sounds pretty good also.

[@maidenforge33]

Well said, people just do not understand how special they truly were, and are in world of over-saturated crap, and copy-cats....They are the pinnacle to which any band should aspire to.

[@zondaboy6493]

@@vincekroy Tell me ONE live recording where Bruce sounds better than on record.

[@dkroy9978]

@@zondaboy6493 children of the damned hammersmith 1982

[@BetoCraftMC]

You should hear Keeper of the Seven Keys song - Helloween It's a masterpiece

[@carloscarrascovitalich5185]

This is Maiden's best album, everything that has progressed since their beginnings reaches its peak on this album. A fantastic rapport between Smith and Murray, incredible drumming, wonderful bass and a powerful, operatic voice from Dickinson. It's a fantastic evolution that I think ends here. After this there is a downturn in Maiden that I think is emulated in some songs of the 2000s as Ghost of the Navigator (Perhaps Brave New Word should have been the continuation of SSOASS).

[@panoseddie9975]

We have exactly the same opinion my friend. The 7 first albums is their best era - all 59 songs. Then the downturn you said. 2-3 songs from fear of the dark , and the next really good album is Brave new world. But when i listen to Maiden its the 7 albums always. Greetings

[@LdyVder]

This is their last great album in my opinion and I've been listening to them since 1982, Number of the Beast album.

[@djek1976]

For me '88 was the last year for al great metal. But that's just me caught somewhere in time.

[@rantzntirades1104]

I’ve noticed that after those albums, there is a change in their sound... I’m not complaining tho - Probably gonna get roasted for this, but I personally like When the Wild Wind Blows which seems strangely relevant during a pandemic

[@Forran]

@@rantzntirades1104 I also really like When the Wild Wind Blows... It's just so beautiful...

[@purplecat4977]

I was just starting to get into classical singing and a friend had been trying to get me to listen to metal for months. I kept shutting her down until she went out and bought me this album and told me 'I spent my own money buying you this, you have to listen to it now.' It was like my eyes had been opened. I owe this album so much.

[@KenoxProductions]

Congratulations on reaching a 100 episodes! I'm glad you've kept up this series and continued to grow your channel. You've already gained a lot of subscribers since I've started watching.

[@gearjmr]

Great music broken down and appreciated by a real musician. I love it!

[@flaviopace4171]

Oleeee olee ole ole Maiden Maiden!!!!! Up the irons guys:) thank you for this beautiful reaction !!!

[@mikelenox7999]

I think people love it because it's like every Iron Maiden song crammed into one.

[@kjemradio]

This was my introduction to Iron Maiden in 1989. Saw the album art (Derek Riggs) and I said "man if the music is as amazing as the cover, I'm all in." I was NOT disappointed. It delivered beautiful way.

[@47.000]

Oh the groove!! Hearing this song for the 776567th time but still getting the goosebumps 100%

[@tommyf6576]

What’s cool about your take on the music, Doug, is you give reasoning and methodology behind why songs music lovers enjoy are so pleasing to the ear. I really enjoy your explanations and descriptions of the progressions and musicianship of the bands! PS: Therion!!!!

[@lisamann]

Happy 100, Doug!! Up the Irons!! 'Kin 'Ell!!

[@carlgibbons5777]

This haunting masterpiece still brings the goosebumps after all these years. I literally wore this CD out when it was first released. Turned tons of my friends onto it as well that were not real familiar with Iron Maiden. My favorite Maiden record? Maybe, but they have quite the discography.

[@LdyVder]

Piece of Mind is mine, but this album is their last great album.

[@vedicmetalhead1029]

@@LdyVder brave new world in nice too…. I d place that at par with somewhere in time

[@alextozzi8619]

That's great reaction right there. Thanks for this man, we love you! That's the whole thing of this song, the last instrumental part, and of course the chorus. When this LP came out everyone was complaining about it, but still, here it is decades later and still very competitive.

[@troywilkinson160]

To Tame a Land gets my vote. You’re becoming a favorite of mine Doug. I don’t understand half of what you say and I Love it. Keep it up!

[@kforcer]

My recommendation for Maiden is 'Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.' The storytelling in that song is really amazing. You are with the narrator all the way through that race, from his initial take off, to him hitting the wall, then finding the runner's high...and then tiring yet again and finally finishing the race on sheer will. Another one with amazing storytelling is "The Duellists"; from the very beginning, you have a sense that it's not the normal epic heavy metal song about a sword fight, there's a note of tragedy in it as it unfolds the story of a swordsman too proud, foolish and brave to back down from an unwinnable fight. But...I'd really, really love to hear your take on Rainbow's classic "Stargazer!"

[@rantzntirades1104]

Both great songs... some of my favorites

[@vaevictis_]

Both deep cut songs that rival some their best imo!

[@timoel]

Yeah, stargazer would be awesome! Edit: Oh he did it :D

[@Accolonian]

"How many rifs do you want in this song?" "Yes..."

[@chrishutchens6004]

Hi, I am a huge Iron Maiden fan and a guitarist (though I don't know much theory), I am really enjoying your analysis of the Maiden and other songs, its insightful and educational. Cheers from the UK ! Also sounds cool when you pick bits out of the tunes on the piano !

[@JD.Knight]

Speaking a totally different language to me, and I'm loving it.

[@juanfranmar]

I love this song. I was a teenager when Iron Maiden realised this album. I was studying classical guitar ... Now I play Jazz, framenco and classical, but still love to play this song and many others maiden’s songs.

[@535phobos]

I'll keep recommending Dance of Death and Paschendale. Still my favourite album.

[@craigfraser2204]

Yes! I've also recommended Paschendale in the past. I especially think the live version (Death On The Road) with the added war sounds and the Wilfred Owen excerpt is so cool! Really hope Doug gets to it one day!

[@DeckardRJ]

Nailed it!!! awesome!!! this is maybe my favorite song of them and I was one of the people who requested. Loved the react, Doug!! Awesome work!!! Keep on!!!

[@alessandrocoppola4642]

your reactions are really professional

[@chudbuck]

Thank you so much for going into depth during that section around 7:00, i always wondered why it was so unique and alluring to me. I'm not a music theory guy by any means, but you were able to make some sense as to why this stands out so much to someone like me. That detail about bouncing between chords with G and G# Thanks!

[@nameless1069]

Hands down their best album imo. "The Evil That Men Do" and "The Clairvoyant" are other standouts for me from the album

[@sergejmiladinovic1181]

Moonchild and Infinite Dreams! Literally their best 80s album!

[@tomwisniewski8988]

110% I fell in love with it when it came out and I still love it.

[@crazyking1896]

For me it's overrated, I only really like 4 songs from this album. Like Only the Good Die Young, The Evil That Men Do, Infinite Dreams, and The Clairvoyant. I think Piece of Mind and Somewhere in Time are better, buy hey its your opinion anyways.

[@garymitchell5899]

It isn't their best album by a long way, but it is very good.

[@mudskipper0075]

@@sergejmiladinovic1181 moonchild was the opening track on this tour ....👍

[@eldrain88]

And once again, watching your reaction is pure gold

[@michelaammirati3703]

Every Maiden fans would like to see Doug playing Keys in this album!

[@HotQahwe]

This rocks , its really cool to share these tunes that I myself am so familiar with, with someone who is familiar with song structure . Thanks again

[@benjaminbreeg5326]

Damn, Maiden have so many amazing songs. Sign of the Cross should definitely be the next one and then Paschendale, Dance of death, the clansman, maybe something from the A matter of life and death album like For the greater good of god or The legacy. Man, so many songs...

[@Vulcan8742]

I thought Sign of the Cross was Avantasia, did Maiden do one too?

[@torgiwankenobi1155]

@@Vulcan8742 yes. In the Blaze Baily Ära

[@heavyrock77]

Really nice to see how my favorite Maiden tune is composed. Many thanks for making this request.

[@maidenforge33]

Epic song, had a feeling you might be checking this song out. Has many different components, great arrangements and vocals. IRON MAIDEN for life, never sold out, still sold close to 100 million albums worldwide, has respect around the globe from young and old alike...Thanks for giving this a listen Doug!

[@mka70]

Yaaaassss!!! I posted in #99 that you should do this song for #100, and can't actually believe it happened! Almost a prophecy, as if a Clairvoyant foretold this. I'll stop now!! Thank you for taking the time to do this song. Right now it's my favourite Maiden tune. You've also made me see the song in a different light even after 32 years! I've only ever heard the flow of the song, never really thought about the make up and chord progressions. A lot of people are quick to push Maiden to the side as 'a wall of noise', but they just don't get the power of the music, the stories being told, the emotions that some of the time changes evoke! Honestly, the power of this song has brought tears of joy to my otherwise empty soul! Thank you!!!

[@swordmonkey6635]

"Pretty cool cover art" You are looking at an 80s era Iron Maiden cover. They were all cool. Derek Riggs (artist) was the man.

[@Macloud2]

I miss those by Derek, so much love to detail… most of the covers and „art“ after they split did not match his standard or were even embarrassing, like Dance of Death.

[@jeffshafer9079]

Yeah, I like how Eddie was being “reborn”. At that point in time he’d been institutionalized, lobotomized, entombed, risen from the dead, and turned into a cyborg. A rough decade!

[@adrianthemetalhead3890]

I Like also Other Artist Artworks, Like Fear of the Dark, Virtuel XI or Death on the road

[@bobmac8309]

I read that the artwork was on 40'x40'. Thats how white knight riggs gets all the detail. Up the irons.

[@spinodino641]

@@Macloud2 The Dance of Death cover would be so great if they would have done it properly. Normally I dont want Re-Dos of album covers but if they would do it with Dance of Death, I would be happy about that.

[@ragearne]

This is my absolute favorite album. I´ve listened to it for 32 years and never get tired of it. :)

[@lefterisraptopoulos6317]

Malmsteen Trilogy suite or Far Beyond the sun

[@lowdz68]

Studio version. Live he just shows off and plays everything too fast.

[@epifanioanunes21]

Icarus dream suite opus 4

[@lowdz68]

@@epifanioanunes21 I asked for this on another video. Again, the studio version. I think Doug would like it.

[@finzic]

@@lowdz68 I totally agree with your comment, let's stick to the studio version, the most neat and beautifully crafted of all versions! What a masterpiece!

[@Kostas_Zacharakis]

You mean Yngwie "J" Fucking Malmsteen

[@carlpeterson8182]

This is my favorite Maiden album by far. then Powerslave. But this one is just so cool and progressive for Maiden. Songs are still very catchy and rocking also but very interesting.

[@Relyx]

Obviously I don't expect this to be a video, but you should sit down and listen through the entire album at some point. It's very much a concept album, that feels like a single piece with many acts. It has a cohesive narrative in the lyrics, and interesting use of recurring motifs. Very very cool album and a very well constructed thing to digest

[@tractor3826]

I was going to suggest exactly the same. Seventh Son is my all time favourite album, one that I can listen to all the way through without the urge to skip a single song. My first time seeing Maiden was on the Seventh Son Tour (Donington 1988) and it is what elevated Maiden to my all time favourite band. If I had to pick out a single favourite track, it would be Infinite Dreams.

[@rantzntirades1104]

Done it

[@rantzntirades1104]

I actually listened to 5 albums in 1 night courtesy of Apple Music

[@donut_pudding2420]

I distinctly remember when this album dropped and all of my metalhead friends dismissed it because of the synths, all the local metal media gave bad reviews but I couldn't get enough of it, it's such a fantastic album. And 33 years later on I still get the chills, especially this song.

[@Asagohantabemasuka]

Up the irons! Cheers from Argentina, and from an Iron Maiden fan for almost 30 years... I play drums thanks to Nicko McBrain too. Anyway, awesome content!

[@chickenoncheese]

Great reaction video! Love watching your videos! Always excited to see your videos!

[@Northern5tar]

Bruce Dickinson's solo albums are also worth a mention. Accident of Birth and Chemical Wedding. Sooooooo good.

[@adrianthemetalhead3890]

He hes great Solo Albums. My favourite ist in the Moment the Studio A Live Album

[@metalmike570]

Yeah he stayed on the map when he left Iron Maiden. I have Tattooed Millionaire and thought it was great.

[@ajd36]

Agreed. Chemical Wedding is a remarkable piece of work. The most perfect 'heavy metal' album since 'Black Sabbath'.

[@dgrundman7499]

As a songwriter & 58 yo guitar/musician, I have to tell u my man, I LOVE literally every unobtrusive piano 'flourish' & the little chords & experimentation you do as u try to understand/dissect the piece. Just saw on the sidebar you did one of these videos to La Villa Strangiato by Rush, can't wait to see ur reaction. it's always fascinating watching actual songwriters & veteran musicians see & hear these guys play that song. It's unquestionably their swan song to difficult, challenging, album length 'mega'-progressive rock, they proved their pedigree & unmatched vision & syncopation, & ability. Looking forward to seeing if I can hear it when your jaw hits the table haha!! (Be careful, it's gonna!!)

[@MasterTapes1960]

There's always a history lesson in every Iron Maiden song

[@bman8366]

Thanks for the analysis Doug! This song was always a fun song for me and was one of my favourites when I was younger. I still love the song! So, thanks for covering it!!

[@chewyfoks1840]

The seventh son of a seventh son was a Warlock in mythology. Steve Harris' bass is the driving force of the band, and the lead writer, as you know. Their songs sound "simple" but are full of subtle nuance and intricate melody.

[@christianthorpe9848]

Just discovered your channel today and I am loving it. This is not just a reaction video, this is a minute-by-minute analysis. I really appreciate your work and thank you for giving me a reason to smile in such dark times.

fun fact: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is indeed a concept album based on Orson Scott Card's book "Seventh Son". and all of this happened because Frank Herbert didn't allow them to make an album about Dune. :)

[@kforcer]

I guess it's not actually based on the Orson Scott Card Alvin Maker series; it was just an idea they got when a nationally known psychic in Britain passed away and Harris wondered if the individual would have foreseen their own death. And it fell into place from there; it was basically just a broad notion that it was a seventh son of a seventh with special powers that was potentially breaking a stalemate between three good brothers and three evil ones. Moonchild calls upon a fictional book about the birth of a child intended to bring victory to the white magicians over the black magicians, but I think it's just sort of taking some influences from that book because it features a plotline similar to that that was informing their songs on the album.

[@markparkin5372]

I saw this song at London O2 back in 2013. Absolutely incredible song. The solos are insane

[@LIVS10]

Suggestions: Band: Angra Songs: Holy Land; Carolina IV; Silence and Distance Band: Shaman Songs: Innocence; Born to be Band: Andre Matos Songs: Endeavor; Turn of the lights In all these bands I suggested, Andre Matos is the lead singer and main composer! He was also a maestro with classical music degree. Unfortunately, he suddenly passed away in 2019. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy his music, Doug! Cheers!

[@PATIQF]

It would be grate!!! Best choices

[@LIVS10]

@@PATIQF thank you Patricia!! Very kind of you!!!

[@kendallfella]

As always buddy - your videos are outstanding, your energy and enthusiasm are infectious and take me back to when I first discovered Maiden way back in 1984. Congratulations on 100. I'm a big Maiden fanboy, but recently started to learn music theory despite playing bass for over 30 years! I'm learning a lot from your channel. Thank you!!

[@Bedrockbrendan]

Off this album Moonchild (one of their heavier songs on the album), Infinite Dreams (very melodic), the Prophecy (my favorite) and the Clairvoyant are quite good. It is pretty close to being a concept album

[@LdyVder]

It is a concept album, not pretty close to one, it is one.

[@Bedrockbrendan]

@@LdyVder I think it is something that people can disagree on. I am just going by their own description of it (which is that Iron Maiden albums get like 90% of the way to being a concept album but don't commit fully). I think this is pretty darn close, and musically it is very coherent. But lyrically it isn't a concept album in the same way as say Days of Future Past (at least in my opinion) or Abigail. It is possible I am misinformed as the Tales of the Alvin Maker is one of the few Card series I haven't read, but my understanding is not all the songs connect to it (and I believe Dickinson might have commented on this: though again possible I am wrong)

[@poodlefluids]

@@Bedrockbrendan I got his album when it came out and it never once occurred to me that it might not be a concept album. I mean, I don't know what your criteria are, but it is a story from beginning to end.

[@Bedrockbrendan]

@@poodlefluids I qualified my statement because I remember Dickinson saying in an interview it was an almost concept album (or the closest they came to a full concept album). I would generally agree it feels pretty concept. I think maybe Dickinson felt some of the songs weren't entirely within the theme (but I am not sure why he said that)

[@stevelozevski8151]

One of my favourite songs. Thanks Doug. Your music knowledge is amazing and the way you break songs down is also amazing and helpful. You have definately helped me out with chord progressions. Keep up the great work

[@ronaldocosta1302]

Nice reaction. I think you'll like a song called "Sign of the Cross", live version of Rock in Rio 2001.

[@scounter72]

Congrats Doug. Really enjoying hearing these songs with you. Sometimes for the first time, sometimes happily revisiting old faves. Iron Maiden from 1982 to 1988 is my fave period of theirs. This album blew my mind as a kid.

[@lxathu]

Maiden or not, it's intriguing how much music that we "only" like and listen to can be analyzed and understood by educated ones with trained ears. Watching a composer checking a song as a composition and a singer measuring how big effort it is to sing it is educational in addition to entertaining. Being able to watch and hear your thoughts, guys, wherever you are on this globe is the best part of this modern craze.

[@patguitare]

What a great album! One of the best Maiden albums ever. The reality of their first concept album, and sticking to the story and theme. A step higher and challenging musically for the boys as well. My absolute favorite release from the Maiden crew. I saw them on that tour as well, Such a great live representation of the album and the fans' Maiden favorite songs as well. UP THE IRONS!!!

[@guilhermemarinho2480]

Do Stargazer (1976) by Rainbow!

[@kforcer]

Yes, I'm with yah! Stargazer please!

[@pablorivascaamano2184]

this!

[@bryanmack3380]

I was a freshman in high school when this hit. It's still my fav Maiden album after all these years. Awesome to watch someone my age react to it.

[@tonyspro]

I’d recommend some Gentle Giant next! They were a fairly unknown British prog band that only lasted 10 albums between 1970-1980, but they’ve got some really harmonically and rhythmically complex stuff, and are known for using a good deal of counterpoint in their writing. I’d recommend starting with either “Experience”, “Proclamation”, or “Mr Class and Quality”. I think you’d really enjoy em, cheers!

[@brendanoneill2499]

Great shout. Gentle Giant never seem to get much love. Van Der Graaf Generator are also definitely worth considering.

[@kitomir9962]

Gentle Giant most certainly isn't fairly unknown

[@tonyspro]

@@kitomir9962 How do you mean? That they are are more known, or more unknown than I originally stated?

[@kitomir9962]

@@tonyspro more known. Sure they are less known than some other prog bands but are still quite well known

[@tonyspro]

@@kitomir9962 Oh, I see. Honestly you could view them as both unknown and known depending on where you go and who you ask. They were super popular in Italy for pretty much their entire career, and by the time free hand was released, they began to find relative popularity in North America (mostly the states and Canada) and Britain. Also, basically any true prog fan would know them, whereas most rock/pop fans would not.

[@madoxlabs]

Dude - its totally mind boggling to me how you can listen to this for the first time and know every chord and explain all the progressions so immediately. I've been rocking to this song for about 30 years and didnt know any of the music theory stuff you commented on. So cool!

[@p0kkers581]

Sign of the cross is a great musical rollercoaster I’d say you may like that. I rather live version because Bruce is singing them

[@AndyTheRoo]

Studio version is great too with Blaze on vocals it's really dark

[@joefairbairn1978]

I agree about the song but Blaze sings it soooo much better, especially on his live solo recordings 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@onearthonelegion]

I like the studio version as much

[@brianferris8668]

The studio version is superb also.

[@GRChrzak]

I found your videos, this one specifically, this past week. Love the stuff. Love how you're looking at bands like Tool, Opeth, and Maiden, and dig the close reading of the lyrics. Keep it coming. PS: Another song to check out from the Seventh Son record is Infinite Dreams. It's like this one, but shorter: starts off simple but then goes on a wild journey before returning for the final verse.

[@willswills3622]

Loved this as usual, thank you for posting. Along with many people, I would love to see you do Iron Maiden's - Phantom Of The Opera, from their debut album, pre Bruce Dickinson. Mostly instrumental with so many different sections. Top work!!!

[@fabiopassoni6736]

the first video i saw was empire of the cloouds, i was delighted with your comment, despite not speaking english, i was your fan and i love iron maiden and heavy metal. congratulations on the channel.